How does one write up LVN ?

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I am a new RN and sometimes we have to work with LVN's and one of my working days last week, this LVN told me straight away " You do your own thing and I will do my own". She did not help me with any PO meds or dressing changes. I am a 6 mos old RN in this facility and she has been LVN here for 10 yrs now. This has happened many times that old LVN's do not want to take new RN orders. I am RN and it bothers me that because of her behaviour my License can be at stake too sometimes. Somebody advised me to write her up and give letter to manager. I hv not written anybody up in my life and I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO START. What kind of language I should use ?

New super nurse. Honestly I was supporting you!!! My gut said this LVN is trouble and no one has stood up to her. But with your responses to our advice maybe my gut is wrong! You really are pre-judging people!!! (I never worked as an LVN or CNA.) I don't care what a person's title is. I listen to and learn from unit secretaries, house keepers, CNA's, LVN's, the patient's, their family, etc. One month into one of my jobs I was nominated for employee of the year!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.
I don't care what a person's title is. I listen to and learn from unit secretaries, house keepers, CNA's, LVN's, the patient's, their family, etc.

Big thumbs up on listening and learning from others! A little respect to each member of the team - including housekeepers - will pay off handsomely, especially those that are lowest on the chain. Many people look down on the housekeeper, but I like to greet them and thank them, too. A little respect and a nice smile goes a long way (and makes my day a better one). I've had days where things don't seem to go well, but others will come to me to help pick me up.

What goes around, comes around.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

I'm still patiently waiting for your answer to my questions. Why won't you tell us what your position is? What is the LVN's position vs. your position? Are you her supervisor, or coworker? Why did you feel that she should be doing your dressings or meds? No one can comment on this situation unless we know the facts. Still waiting.

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I'm still patiently waiting for your answer to my questions. Why won't you tell us what your position is? What is the LVN's position vs. your position? Are you her supervisor, or coworker? Why did you feel that she should be doing your dressings or meds? No one can comment on this situation unless we know the facts. Still waiting.

I'm with you on this one. Just about anywhere I have ever worked, the LPNs have always had their individual patient load. Yes, the RN or senior LPN is appointed charge nurse for the shift, and may have additional responsibilities. But if the LPN has her own patients, her own medications, her own dressings, and her own charting to do, why in the world would she take on another nurse's load?

OP- Everyone should help each other out, because we all need assistance from time to time. But to get upset that someone isn't listening to you, as you order them to do your work, seems kind of absurd to me. I might be missing something here, but this seems to be the gist of your post.

I will agree her comment wasn't the kindest. But like someone said, maybe she is tired of having to carry your weight. There had to have been a reason that she said it. Again, I wouldn't really know, because I don't have the full story.

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After reading through her responses, I believe we have a case of over inflated ego met with a swift dose of reality. Just look at her handle, NewsuperNurse. Really, Seriously?

Your ego OP is what is not allowing you to see the obvious. You began to believe your own press and thought you were more wonderful than you really are. Word of advise... people cannot sustain you where they place you.

LVN or not, she is a NURSE just like you. Not your subordinate or lesser educated peon. Just by your writings alone I can tell your maturity level is low and that your leadership quotient is ZERO. We all can learn the most from those battle tested and seasoned by fire. No one knows it all. Medicine is DYNAMIC not STATIC, you will never know it all.... EVER. Her 10yrs trump your degree 10 fold. In 20 years you still wont measure up to the constant experience she will still have on you.

Its people like you who want to be diamonds but yet cannot stand the pressure required to press you into shape. Leadership is about service, not being served. All the BEST leaders serve those who they lead, and all GREAT leaders know that in order to grow you have to relinquish power to others to grow them as a leader as well, which in turn makes you a better leader. Your title is just that a title. It's hollow and meaningless because you are too wrapped up in the letters and not the experience. Your degree may be impressive but we as a people are not impressed. Your arrogance will be your demise. And if you continue to think in terms of Bosses and Workers instead of delivering OPTIMAL patient care, may I suggest that you LEAVE NURSING NOW. The field does not need you, TRUST ME.

Your ridiculous rants and petulant musings are laughable. No one cares about your patient load....stop deflecting your deficiencies on others. To make it plain... YOU SUCK, stop looking for a scapegoat.

Here are 2 books that changed my life.. and if you PM me I will GIVE THEM TO YOU FOR FREE. Because you seriously need to read them:

The 7 Habits of Highly effective People by Stephen Covey

The 21 IRREFUTABLE Laws of Leadership by John C Maxwell

I wish you well.... but you need to check yourself. Seriously!

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

I can see that my initial thoughts on this situation are true. For some reason you felt the LPN should be doing your work for you. All I can say is WOW.

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The echelon of nursing is a difficult thing to learn. Depending on the nursing styles a facility utilizes, it varies a lot. Assignments on paper do help. They clearly defines who does what, and is responsible for what. The load must be devided and shared when necessary. It is ludicrous to not ask for help when one cannot do it alone. On the other hand, an RN must be available to do everything a CNA or an LVN does, because thats part of the job. RN's need to know first hand what a wound looks like, and all the other observations that go with a dressing change. RN's must know everything about their patients, and you cannot always take the word of someone else. Rude awakening is ahead for those who delegate without participating.

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Costco Colombian Supreme, Sumatran, Costa Rican, and French Roast. I spend about $500 a year on coffee supplies for my shift. That is 2.5 OT shifts to make coffee for an entire year for all the staff I work with. It's well spent.

In return, I have received a very generous package of new baby supplies when my wife delivered our first newborn baby girl. Hundreds of dollars worth of gifts, plus handmade blankets, advice, discussions about how to calm colic in a new baby, etc.

I am astounded at the support I have received from my coworkers. Several of the nurses have offered to babysit for me and my wife so we could go out and dance a couple times a month once baby can sleep through the night.

Are you seriously powertripping on your staff like you say? I would poke a branch in your spokes just to see you spill if you treated me that way.

I sincerely value the staff on my ward and would do anything they asked of me. If I wind up my shift without sweating my scrubs out then I haven't done my job.

Wait, you're a GUY? Your post doesn't count!:smokin:

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Specializes in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing.
Wait, you're a GUY? Your post doesn't count!:smokin:

Well! That's certainly sexist to think I'm not a gay woman who had her wife inseminated. How dare you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Well! That's certainly sexist to think I'm not a gay woman who had her wife inseminated. How dare you.

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I think, since the post didn't quite end up the way the OP expected, we just might not hear from her again. Sad really, a closed mind is like a stuck door, hard to get thru.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Well it took a wonderfully old battle axe, my first mentor to teach me that when I resorted to putting a complaint on paper, I had rehersed it through so many verbal conversations with the person involved that they could almost write it for me:D

I would never let someone walk away saying "we each do our own thing". There is a PROBLEM here and we need a quick sit down and heart to heart because every one needs each other to help with the patients at some time or another. OP, you were snubbed, had a warning by this person and instead of seeking out what the issue was, you let it slide, simply blamed this person and never found if you shared acountability in the situation. Mastery of this takes practice.

When someone is short tempered with me... I asume it's me first.. and if not then they will generally fess up to what the issue is....... (me) "Woa, what have I said that's upset you, because I'm sure that was not my intention.....?" and from here it begins.

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